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Golden Moselle Bike/Barge (8 days)
Route: Cochem > Kues > Trier > Saarburg > Remich > Thionville > Metz
or Route: Metz > Konigsmacher > Remich > Saarburg > Remich > Thionville > Cochem
Highlights: Cathedral of Metz – Maginot line - Saarburg - Porta Nigra in Trier- marketplace Bernkastel - fine white wines
Price: $1800 /person (double occupancy) on comfort de luxe barge.
Dates: Metz to Cochem: August 8, Cochem to Metz: August 15, 2009
Fine German wines, French savoir vivre and rich history
The countryside on both banks of the Mosel is splendid, the cool wines taste deliciously, the picturesque little towns have rich histories and the conditions for cycling are excellent indeed. Here you fine the perfect mix of ingedients for a fine bike and barge vacation. This tour takes us through a wonderful, varying region. We follow the river Mosel, partly in Germany, partly in France and partly in Luxembourg, along the endless vineyards and the enchanting old cities like Cochem and Bernkastel. It goes without saying that we will taste the local wines whenever we can. Then, of course, there is Trier, the oldest city of Germany with the Porta Nigra dating from the first century after Christ. We will follow the river Saar and visit charming Saarburg, with the stunning waterfalls in the city center.
We also cycle into Luxembourg and France with their welcoming villages, where the inhabitants are proud of their sweet, smooth wines and golden “Mirabellen” liqueur (plum liqueur). The city of Metz has a splendid cathedral.
Day-by-Day Itinerary:
From Cochem to Metz.
Saturday:
Cochem. Board at 4 PM in Cochem.
Sunday:
Cochem – Bernkastel – Kues (50 km)
Monday:
Bernkastel – Kues – Trier (40 km)
Tuesday
Trier – Saarburg (35 km).
Wednesday
Saarbrugge - Remich (40 km).
Thursday
Remich - Sierck le Bains - Thionville (50 km).
Friday
Thionville – Metz (35 km).
Saturday
Metz Disembark by 10 AM.
or reverse: From Metz to Cochem.
Saturday
Metz
4 PM Arrival in Metz, strategically situated between Côtes de Moselle and the plateau Lorrain.
Sunday:
Metz - Konigsmacher (50 km)
Today our bike tour leads us through the French countryside to the fort Hackenberg, part of the Maginot line. We find the barge back in Konigsmacher.
Monday
Konigsmacher - Sierck-les-Bains - Remich (50 km)
Today’s tour leads us via the beautiful valley of the Mosel across the French border into Luxembourg. But first we visit the castle of Sierck-les-Bains, beautifully situated on the banks of the Mosel river. On top of the hill there is a castle from the 11th century, which was at stake in the battle between the duke of Lorraine and the archbishop of Trier in the 12th century. We spend the night in Remich. Here the Mosel forms the border between Germany and Luxembourg and Remich is on Luxembourg ground.
Tuesday
Remich - Saarburg (35 km).
Today we follow the valley of the Mosel and Saar to the north and we visit charming Saarburg. Saarburg is an interesting old town situated in the most beautiful part of the Saar valley. Here the banks of the river are densely forested. The castle of Saarburg was built here in the middle of the 10th century. In the middle of town we come across a waterfall of 20 meters high. At the foot of this waterfall there is an old mill, which is driven by the small river. In this part of town most of the old houses from the 17th and 18th century, which give Saarburg such a picturesque look, are still intact.
Wednesday
Saarbrugge - Remich (40 km).
Thursday
Remich - Sierck le Bains - Thionville (50 km).
Friday
Kues - Cochem (45 km).
We follow the Mosel downstreams past Traben-Trarbach and Zell. Traben-Trarbach is surrounded by woods and extensive vineyards and is the major center of wine trade in the Mosel region.
Zell is beautifully situated on the Mosel, where the river meanders through the hills in many loops. The Hoherott (452 m) and the Corrayer Berg (425 m) are the best-known wine regions.
Our final destination is Cochem, a cosy and characteristic Mosel town, with steep wine mountains, wooded hills, mediaeval fortresses and a picturesque center with beautiful timber-framed houses. The fortress houses a museum.
Saturday
Cochem Disembark by 10 AM.
Included in tour:
• 7 nights accommodations aboard barge
• Full board (breakfast + packed lunch + 3-courses dinner)
• Coffee and Tea on board
• Tour guide
• Route description
• Use of 24 speed Gazelle Medeo bicycle with panniers, lock and water bottle
• Credit card fee
• Booking fee
• Ferry fares on the route
Not included in tour:
• Airfare
• entrance fees to museums approx. 15 euro
• Drinks (other than coffee & tea on board)
• Bicycle damage protection insurance
• Transfer between airport and barge in Amsterdam
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